RIM Loses Key TAT Team Executive

Over the last few years, when BlackBerry-maker Research in Motion Ltd. (RIMM) has wanted to keep gloomy news about diminishing market share and a tanking stock at bay, it’s called on The Astonishing Tribe.

TAT, a small technology firm in Sweden that worked on some of the first Android user interfaces, was acquired by RIM in late 2010. Since then, RIM executives have regularly touted the cool, futuristic work of the TAT team at conferences and during speeches.

Reuters

RIM’s key next line of phones, BlackBerry 10, will be in large part dependent on the work TAT has done to make the user experience enjoyable. TAT is the driving force behind the key user interface – or the look and feel – of BlackBerry 10. After two delays, the phones are expected to finally launch early next year.

Yesterday one of TAT’s founders, Hampus Jakobsson, announced on Twitter that he was leaving the company and “handing over this to others in RIM now.”

A RIM spokesman confirmed in a statement that Mr. Jakobsson has left the company.

While Mr. Jakobsson may not have been working directly on the user interface — his official job title was Director, Strategic Alliances — his departure likely won’t be a welcome one so close to the BlackBerry 10 launch.

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